Prevalence and local factors associated with radiographic bone loss in primary dentition: A retrospective study

This study analyzed x-rays of Brazilian children to assess bone loss in primary molars. It aimed to determine how common bone loss is and to identify local factors linked to the associated bone loss. Researchers reviewed 828 x-rays from 527 children (average age 8.27 years) who visited Piracicaba Dental School between 2014 and 2020. Bone loss was identified when the distance between the cementoenamel junction and bone crest (CEJ-BC) was greater than 2 mm. The results showed an average CEJ-BC distance of 1.12 mm, with 85 areas showing bone loss. The bone loss prevalence was 2.62% per site and 13.28% per patient. Factors linked to higher bone loss included being male, older age, having teeth in the maxilla, first primary molars, and specific local factors. Procedures such as pulpectomies, fillings, and nearby tooth eruptions were associated with bone loss; however, 41.2% of cases identified with bone loss did not present the local factors evaluated in the study. The study concluded that 13.28% of children showed bone changes in their primary molars, with bone loss linked to local factors and other conditions.